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🇫🇷 France /Culture & Society

Violent Clashes at Lyon-Turin Rail Project Protest Injure 120 Police in Italy

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Violent clashes erupted in Italy's Susa Valley during a protest against the Lyon-Turin high-speed rail project, injuring 120 police officers.
  • Authorities reported significant damage, estimated at one million euros, to the construction site, with many of the violent demonstrators identified as "black blocs" from France.
  • Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the "organized and premeditated violence," vowing the state would not back down, while the No Tav movement claimed success in demonstrating their opposition.

A protest against the Lyon-Turin high-speed rail project in Italy's Susa Valley turned violent Saturday, resulting in 120 police officers injured and an estimated one million euros in damage to the construction site. Italian authorities and the company managing the project announced the figures Monday.

violence organized and premeditated

— Giorgia MeloniItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's condemnation of the violence during the protest.

Images from Italian media showed individuals in black clothing and masks throwing projectiles and incendiary devices at law enforcement. According to several local media outlets, a significant number of the protesters were "black blocs" originating from France. Four foreign nationals were arrested following the violence, with Italian police declining to comment when contacted by AFP.

Thousands gathered in the Piedmont region near the French border to protest the "Tav" project, which has faced strong opposition for over 30 years. While a peaceful festival was organized, hundreds of demonstrators clashed with police deployed to secure the construction site. The project, supported by authorities and economic actors for freight transport development, is opposed by environmental activists concerned about its impact on the Alps and its substantial cost.

the state has no intention of backing down

— Giorgia MeloniItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's assurance regarding the continuation of the Lyon-Turin rail project.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the "organized and premeditated violence," assuring that "the state has no intention of backing down." The Italian Interior Minister had previously reported intercepting three French individuals traveling to the rally with masks, fireworks, and a grinder in their vehicle. The No Tav movement, however, celebrated its ability to "demonstrate once again that it has the strength to arrive where the destruction of the territory is on the agenda," citing the presence of 20,000 people at the demonstration.

demonstrated once again that it has the strength to arrive where the destruction of the territory is on the agenda

— No Tav movementStatement from the No Tav movement following the protest and clashes.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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